Hello Dolly!
A wise man once said, “You don’t choose a cat, a cat chooses you…”
I wasn’t looking for a cat considering the health scare I just had with Harley, (the FIP test was inconclusive, but that is not unusual in a vaccinated cat) but after six years, it appears that I have been chosen again.
She is an eight-week old calico that belonged to a litter out where my step-dad works and was in need of medical attention. I was not too involved to start with. Not only does step-dad have a soft spot for animals, he tends to exaggerate the state of outside cats’ conditions. Therefore when he told me about the kitten that had a sore on her neck, I figured she had just been playing too roughly with her siblings.
But on Friday morning he told me that the kitten had taken a turn for the worse and he had taken her to the vet’s office. Apparently she had gotten some sort of parasite and it had led to an infection. The vet removed the parasite, lanced the infected area on her neck to let it drain, and sent step-dad home with the kitten and some antibiotics.
I took one look into the carrier and knew at that moment that I had been chosen. The kitten attempted a half-hearted hiss as I lifted her out of the carrier, but it turned into a purr as soon as I held her close to me and presented her with water and kitten food.
Not twenty four hours had passed and I was already a surrogate mother to the little doll: I was feeding her, showing her the litter box, and giving her baths. I felt the sting of sharp milk teeth and the even sharper scratch of baby claws. I kept calling to her my little dolly and when I noticed she responded to it, it became her name.
Dolly has not yet met the rest of her new family and I doubt Mouse, Scooter, and Harley will be as enamored with her as I am when they finally do meet. However, I am sure they will get used to her… eventually! 
23 July 2007 at 02:47
Good luck with the new kitten. It’s never too early to start trimming their claws. Even baby claws can hurt you.
23 July 2007 at 06:52
That’s wonderful that you rescued her! She’s a cutie!
23 July 2007 at 07:08
She’s adorable
23 July 2007 at 08:23
Figgy and Gypsy are still adjusting to Cutie, but things have gotten much better. Dolly is adorable, and I’m sure your kitties will adjust quickly.
23 July 2007 at 09:43
What a darling kitten. Good luck with her.
Brenda
23 July 2007 at 19:49
She’s beautiful! Cats usually have a way of finding a good home.
Glad you’ve taken another one off the streets.
23 July 2007 at 22:53
Dolly has such pretty markings! I love her colors. She’s a very lucky little kitty to have you and your step-dad in her life.
24 July 2007 at 08:40
She is a cutie:)
24 July 2007 at 09:55
Dolly is adorable!! Hopefully the other kitties will take to her quickly. She’s such a sweetheart!
24 July 2007 at 10:07
She is adorable! Love the name.
24 July 2007 at 17:19
awwwww. I love baby kittens. she is sure a cutie. cats are like potatoe chips you can’t have just one.!!!
24 July 2007 at 18:39
What an adorable and inquisitive face. Everyone seems to be getting “adopted” recently.
24 July 2007 at 19:08
She’s adorable, no wonder you fell in love. I hope she heals quickly and there aren’t to many disagreements as everyone gets used to each other. Fortunately, in general, cats seems to have a pretty good tolerance for kittens.
25 July 2007 at 13:44
What a cute kitty. Glad you are keeping her, sounds like she had a rough start.
25 July 2007 at 14:38
She is such a sweetie! Congrats on the new addition to the family!!
26 July 2007 at 13:11
Are you on your way to becoming the old lady who lives with cats?!
Welcome Dolly to the clan!
27 July 2007 at 11:26
What a darling! I hope that Dolly is feeling better.